There are 150 to 200 lymph nodes over each side of the neck. Any of them can enlarge due to infection, tumor or inflammation. For those that persist and require investigation, the next steps include
- Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) – a simple test involving aspirating cells from the enlarged lymph node with a needle, spreading the cells on a slide and sending it for cytological examination. This test can give indication of the nature of the lump in 95-97% of the time.
- Radiological Imaging – An MRI or CT scan will help give more information on the lump.
Treatment – An excision biopsy will confirm the nature of the lump and if further treatment is required.